Tag Archives: travel blogger

Blonde Ambition: The New Starbucks Flavor Sensation at Rancho Carmel Plaza!

My weekends have been quite interesting lately, especially with my husband! I finally got the chance to hang out with him for a full game of golf last weekend, which was actually quite fun. But our weekends have lately been filled with “The Hunt”, as we’ve come to name the all consuming search for Funko Pop! vinyl figures. On the way to Barnes & Noble in the Carmel Mountain Ranch area, we dropped by Rancho Carmel Plaza, a little strip mall usually frequented by me and my sister. I wanted to try the new coffee flavor sensation, Starbucks Blonde Espresso.

I do have to say that this is one of my favorite Starbucks locations because of this very seating area (below). It looks more like a comfy living room rather than a coffee shop, and if you placed an ottoman in front of me with my favorite movie playing in the distance with a nice cup or coffee or tea, I swear I could sit there for hours.

On to the coffee: I really loved it! It is a light roasted espresso, and is supposed to be creamy with hints of lemon and orange. I was told by the barista that the Blonde Espresso would be smooth and sweet, and I would have to agree. I had the Blonde Espresso Latte and I drank it straight without adding any type of sweetener. After that kind of first impression, I am anxious to try all of their Blonde Espresso offerings: the Blonde Vanilla Latte, the Iced Blonde Caffe Americano, the Blonde Cappuccino, and the Blonde Flat White. But I think I will also ask if they will do a shot of Blonde Espresso on its own, just so I can get the full taste of the espresso and see if I can taste those citrus notes at its purest.

Starbucks is located at 10195 Rancho Carmel Drive, San Diego, CA 92128 and they can be reached at (858) 613-7754. They are open Monday to Saturday from 5:00 am to 8:30 pm and Sunday from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Cheers and here’s to one smooth cup of (Blonde) ambition!

FTC Disclosure: I received compensation to patronize a business at Rancho Carmel Plaza. Although I did receive compensation, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.

The Latest From LEGOLAND®: LEGO NINJAGO Days Jan. 13 & 14

Where did the time go? It’s 2018 already, and we’re starting off with a bang at LEGOLAND^® California Resort! It’s Ninjago Days this weekend to celebrate the opening of the new 4D movie, LEGO^®NINJAGO^® – Master of the 4th Dimension!

We attended the media preview last night, but in all honesty, we missed the movie! After picking up my son and then my niece, we hit more traffic than anticipated and arrived after the last showing. We still caught some of the fun of the evening, and we’ll definitely come back to watch it. But YOU can still catch it this weekend! Check out all of the information below, mixed in with some pictures from the event last night.

I’ve also included pictures from when we attended Ninjago Days last year in celebration of The Ninjago Movie and the new video game back in September 2017. Cheers!

WHAT:

The LEGO^® NINJAGO^® phenomenon continues at LEGOLAND^® California Resort during LEGO NINJAGO Days Jan. 13 & 14 to celebrate the opening of the new 4D film, LEGO^®NINJAGO^® – Master of the 4th Dimension, playing exclusively at LEGOLAND Parks and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers nationwide. Guests are invited to join in the LEGO NINJAGO fun at the family theme park and meet some of their favorite “The LEGO^® NINJAGO^® Movie” characters including Lloyd, Sensei Wu, Kai, Jay and Nya. Guests can also participate in activities such as completing a scavenger hunt in Miniland U.S.A. and put their ninja gaming skills to the test with the brand new “The LEGO^® NINJAGO^® Movie” video game. All activities are included with the price of admission into LEGOLAND California Resort.

WHEN:

January 13 & 14, 2018

WHERE:

LEGOLAND California Resort, Carlsbad, CA

ACTIVITIES:

LEGO^® NINJAGO^® – Master of the 4th Dimension

Become part of the 4D action as you join the NINJAGO heroes at a very special training session in the 4th Dimension in this exciting 12 minute movie

THE LEGO^® NINJAGO^® MOVIE™ Character Meet & Greets

Meet the stars of the “The LEGO^® NINJAGO^® Movie™” in LEGO^® NINJAGO^® World!

Miniland Scavenger Hunt

Find the ninjas in Miniland U.S.A. and complete your entry form for a chance to win a LEGO^®NINJAGO^® prize pack!

WB Family GameSpace featuring THE LEGO^® NINJAGO^® MOVIE™ Video Game

Master new skills and upgrade your weapons in your training to find your inner ninja in this brand new video game.

Images from the Ninjago Days Blogger Event – September 2017

Dominic was masked and ready to go!

Brian Austin , Manager, Brand Marketing Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. He was explaining the game and movie tie-in, in addition to answering questions. He was so nice!

Dominic and Mei-Lin playing The Ninjago Movie video game in the Warner Bros Family Game Space.

The Ninjago Movie tie-ins at Ninjago World

Had to grab my favorite meal, the Bao Buns from The Ninja Kitchen, of course!

Goodies from the blogger event, including a Ninjago Movie video game for Dominic for the XBOX One, and a PS4 version for Mei-Lin!

Have Tacos Any Day at Senior Taquero!

Rather than Tuesday, Dominic and I had tacos on a Sunday! While out and about just before the Thanksgiving holiday, we had lunch at Senior Taquero in Sabre Springs Plaza. The menu is very straightforward, with so many items to choose from! But we stuck to our favorites: rolled and street tacos. I had the shredded beef rolled tacos topped with lettuce, salsa fresca, guacamole and cheese. Dominic came a little bit out of his comfort zone by having birria tacos (shredded beef short ribs), which comes with salsa fresca and guacamole, much to his delight!

We can always count on our 8-year old to be open and honest about what he likes; not only did he order an additional two more tacos, but he gleefully said, “Mom, we have to come back here, my tacos were so good!” There you have it, out of the mouths of babes, Senior Taquero is a must for tacos anytime!

Senior Taquero is located at 11385 Poway Rd San Diego, CA 92128 and they can be reached at (858) 668 -2467. They are open seven days a week from 8am to 10pm, and you can skip the line by ordering ahead online at their site here.

Cheers!

Shredded Beef Rolled Tacos with lettuce, salsa fresca, guacamole and cheese

Birria Tacos with salsa fresca and guacamole

Dominic approved!

FTC Disclosure: I received compensation to patronize a business at Sabre Springs Plaza. Although I did receive compensation, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.

Poway Valley Center Renovation Update!

In the blink of an eye, the renovations at Poway Valley Center have made some incredible progress! Along with the top picture, this is the blog post from just three months ago here. Compare them to the pictures below that my sister snapped this weekend. What a difference a few months make!

All photos by Rholnna Jiao

THE LATEST FROM LEGOLAND®: Happy Halloween!

It’s that time of year for ghosts, ghouls and goblins of all shapes and sizes to celebrate! In honor of Halloween, here are the pictures we took at LEGOLAND® California’s Brick-Or-Treat Party Nights a few weeks ago. Did you attend? Let me know in the comments below and have a safe Halloween!

My sister, husband and I accompanied Dominic and Me-Lin for a truly spooktacular night!

The candy stations were a big hit!

Loved the music all throughout the park, including the “Rock Band” above and the live music on stage at the Heartlake City Fall Festival below!

All kinds of creatures and creepy characters were lurking around the park!

Thanks again LEGOLAND® for another amazing night!

“Cover Me” in Depeche Mode Tonight!

The day is finally here: DEPECHE MODE’S “GLOBAL SPIRIT TOUR” AT MATTRESS FIRM AMPHITHEATRE!

I believe the show is sold out, but there are verified tickets still available on Live Nation. I have the Live Nation app and I’m taking advantage of the “Fast Lane” Upgrade, since I have lawn tickets. This will allow me, my sister and our kids to get some prime real estate at the front of the lawn area next to the railing.

Keep up with me on my Instagram for all of my concert coverage and I’ve created a separate section here on my blog of all of my Depeche Mode posts!

Cheers!

The Latest From LEGOLAND®: Brick-or-Treat Party Nights Starts This Weekend!

Is it really that time of year again? Why yes it is! Every Saturday starting this weekend until the end of October, LEGOLAND® California presents Brick-or-Treat Party Nights!

“Awesome Awaits at the Park…after dark! Brick-or-Treat Party Nights at LEGOLAND^®California Resort is back for more Halloween excitement. The entire Park is open for Party Nights Saturday September 30, and every Saturday in October. The home of Halloween fun is filled with…

Live entertainment + new shows!

Character Meet and Greets

Costume Contests: Group, LEGO^® Theme, Most Creative

Treat stations with more than 1 million pieces of candy

Heartlake City Fall Festival with Pumpkin Patch Build and craft time with the LEGO Friends

The AstroBash Dance Party

Brick-or-Treat Party Nights Pop Badge Challenge

And more!

Plus, don’t miss candy, decorations and your fishy friends at SEA LIFE^® Aquarium included with your Party Nights ticket.”

Purchase your tickets at the link below:

https://www.legoland.com/california/legoland-california/entertainment/events/brick-or-treat-party-nights/

Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28

3 p.m. – 9 p.m.

(Last 3 images are courtesy of Legoland)

The Latest From LEGOLAND®: Lego NINJAGO Days, Castle Hotel Progress & What’s Upcoming in 2018!

So much is happening at the LEGOLAND^® California Resort in Carlsbad that I had to get my sister and photographer, Rholnna, to help capture it all. Along with Brick or Treat (more information in a future post), here’s the lowdown on what’s happening at LEGOLAND^® !

THE LEGO^® NINJAGO^® MOVIE LEGO NINJAGO Days

To celebrate the new LEGO^® NINJAGO^® MOVIE , you can Join your favorite ninjas – Lloyd, Jay, Kai, Cole, Zane and Nya – by tapping into YOUR inner Ninja at LEGOLAND Parks LEGOLAND Discovery Centers!

(Click the picture above for more details)

The LEGO^® NINJAGO^® Days Schedule

LEGOLAND Parks

LEGOLAND California Resort (Carlsbad, Calif.): Sept. 23-24

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dates

Arizona: 9/23-9/24, 9/30-10/1,10/7-10/8

Atlanta 10/7-10/9, 10/13-10/15

Boston 9/23-9/24, 9/30-10/1

Chicago 9/22-9/24, 9/30-10/1

Dallas 9/22-9/23, 9/29-10/1, 10/7-10/8

Kansas City 9/23-9/24, 9/30-10/1, 10/7-10/8

Michigan 9/23-9/24, 9/30-10/1

Philadelphia 9/22-9/24, 9/29-10/1

Westchester (Yonkers, N.Y.): 9/22-9/24, 9/29-10/1

CASTLE HOTEL PROGRESS

Earlier this year, Rholnna attended the ground breaking of the new Castle Hotel at LEGOLAND^® . She recently attended the press conference for what’s upcoming in 2018, so below is a combination of pictures from the ground breaking event back in January and the progress so far!

January 2017

September 2017

LEGO^® City Deep Sea Adventure

At the press conference this month, the LEGO^® City Deep Sea Adventure was introduced and Rholnna captured a few pictures announcing this exciting new upcoming ride!

“LEGOLAND^® California Resort’s General Manager Peter Ronchetti announced at today’s press conference that 2018 will be a year of enormous growth! In January, a new 4-D movie launches, followed by the opening of LEGOLAND^® Castle Hotel in the spring and, just announced, LEGO^® City Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride is opening in the summer! LEGO^® City Deep Sea Adventure is Merlin Entertainment’s single largest investment in any LEGOLAND^® Park and will take passengers aboard a real submarine where they will be submerged underwater and immersed in an ocean habitat.”

(All photos from the Castle Hotel ground breaking and press conference taken by Rholnna Jiao)

Vocabulary Boutique’s Come Sail Away Event Recap

At the beginning of August, I attended a fun event by Vocabulary Boutique. It was a shopping event, with a capsule wardrobe curated by Conni of Art In The Find and Kali of In Spades along with boutique owner, Cecelia, who also celebrated the boutique’s 8th anniversary. It truly was a unique event because although I have attended a few of their events in the past on location at the boutique, this one was on an Aolani Catamaran where we sipped, snacked and shopped while sailing the San Diego Bay!

This cake was as delicious as it was beautiful!

A pretty cocktail next to a cute mini-folding chair (I had to take a picture for perspective)

I had a fun time shopping on board, and I’ll share the new earrings I bought in a blog post!

Sharing sunshine and smiles with Kali (photo courtesy of Jenna of Lucky Little Mustardseed)

With Allison of Fashion Week San Diego, Jenna, Kali and Conni (photos courtesy of Kali and Jenna)

Can You Give Me Directions to Mark Hamill Drive?

Not long after Comic-Con, Dominic and I attended a truly one-of-a-kind event: Mark Hamill’s street sign dedication! I heard about the event on KUSI News because news anchor Lisa Remillard mentioned she would be hosting the event. It was a hot day, which made it a tad bit rough on Dominic, but he stuck it out like a (Storm) trooper and we witnessed a cool bit of Star Wars history. For those of you who are wondering, “Why San Diego?” Mark Hamill spent some of his childhood in the Clairemont area, where the street sign is located.

We originally had a strange vantage point because we decided to grab some lunch nearby, which meant had lost some prime real estate where we would have had a better view. As a result, we had to stand in an awkward place behind the media staging area. Luckily for us, my cousin Regi and her son Riley had been in attendance and we moved closer to the action right near the actual stage. I’ve included a couple of videos below, which was Mark Hamill’s speech, the unveiling of the honorary street sign and declaration of July 30, 2017 as “Mark Hamill Day”.

May The Force be With You and Cheers!

Clockwise from the left: Me, Regi, Riley & Dominic

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